Round and small diameter optical cables with a ribbon-like optical fiber structure

ABSTRACT

An optical fiber cable including an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe, wherein the ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side, and wherein at least two of the optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of the fibers.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/890,845, filed Feb. 7, 2018, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/349,399,filed Nov. 11, 2016, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/994,245, filed Apr. 28, 2015, which is basedupon and claims the benefit of priority as a U.S. national stage filingof International Application No. PCT/US2012/036076 having aninternational filing date of May 2, 2012, the disclosures of all ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The invention is related to an optical fiber cable that incorporates aribbon-like structure in place of individual loose optical fibers.

2. Related Art

Two different types of optical fiber cables are ribbon cables and cableswith individual optical fibers, either loose-tube, or tightly buffered.When designing and building networks, the advantages and disadvantagesof these cables are weighed. Some of the advantages and disadvantages ofthe cables are listed below.

Advantages of ribbon cables include: (1) they allow for easy MPOconnectorization; (2) they are relatively easy to mass splice; and (3)they provide for lower skew than cables with individual fibers. However,the design and manufacturing of ribbon cables can be more difficult.

Advantages of cables with individual fibers: (1) Lower PMD than ribboncable; and (2) the design and manufacturing of the cables is easierrelative to ribbon cables.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a conventional flat ribbon cable 4. This typeof ribbon cable can be used by a user that requires low skew consideringhigh speed transmission (e.g. 40 G or 100 G of parallel transmission).In addition, users that like the easy operation of MPO connectorizationmay use this type of cable. Two 12 fiber ribbons 5, 6 are stacked on topof each other in the cable 4. The cable 4 has an outer jacket 7. Aramid8 is inside of the jacket and the inner shape is rectangular to keep theribbon shape flat. This type of cable requires careful handling duringthe installation, because bending in incorrect directions may damage thefibers.

Conventional single-fibers cable are sometimes used by the users whoprefer round and small cables. FIG. 3 shows an example of a single-fibercable 13. Twenty-four fibers can be divided into two 12 fiber bundleunits 11 by the binders. An appropriate amount of aramid yarn 12 isinserted between an inner pipe (e.g., a pipe 9) and an outer pipe 10 toprotect the optical fibers from tension during installation and use.This type of cable allows a multiple installation into limited spacebecause of its small diameter, light weight and flexibility.

It is an object of the invention to produce cable structure that has theadvantages of both ribbon cables and single-fibers cables.

SUMMARY

Exemplary implementations of the present invention address at least theabove problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages notdescribed above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcomethe disadvantages described above, and an exemplary implementation ofthe present invention may not overcome any of the problems listed above.

A first embodiment of the invention is an optical fiber cable includingan optical fiber ribbon in a pipe; wherein the ribbon includes at leasttwo optical fibers arranged side by side; and wherein at least two ofthe optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of thefibers.

Other features of the first embodiment may include some of thefollowing: the fibers being multi-mode fibers, the ribbon being twistedhelically, the ribbon being S-Z twisted, the ribbon being tightlybuffered, the ribbon being loosely buffered with a gel is in the pipe,the ribbon being loosely buffered with an aramid yarn in the pipe, theribbon being loosely buffered with a water blocking yarn in the pipe,the outer diameter of the jacket pipe being equal to or less than 3.0 mmand the ribbon having twelve fibers, the outer diameter of the pipebeings equal or less than 3.8 mm the cable including a second opticalfiber ribbon in the pipe wherein the two optical fiber ribbons each havetwelve fibers, the diameter of the pipe being equal or less than 4.8 mmand the cable including second, third and fourth optical fiber ribbonsin the pipe wherein the four optical fiber ribbons each have twelvefibers, the pipe including stainless steel, the pipe including PBT, thepipe including a PBT alloy, the pipe including PE, the pipe includingFRPE, and the pipe including PVC.

A third embodiment of the invention is a cable including a strengthmember and an optical fiber cable including an optical fiber ribbon in apipe, wherein the ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arrangedside by side, and wherein at least two of the optical fibers are bondedintermittently along a length of said fibers.

Other features of the third embodiment may include some of thefollowing: the optical fiber cable being surrounded by the strengthmember and an outer pipe and wherein the strength member comprisesaramid yarn, a central member and at least two additional optical fibercables wherein the central member is surrounded by the at least threefiber optical cables, an outer pipe, an inner pipe and an aramid yarnlayer between the inner and outer pipe, an inner pipe and an armor layerbetween the inner pipe and the outer pipe, the strength member includingwires that surround the fiber optical cables, an aramid yarn between thefiber optical cable and an outer pipe, an aluminum pipe surrounding thefiber optical cables and wire strength elements surrounding the aluminumpipe, an aluminum pipe surrounding the fiber optical cable and wirestrength elements surrounding the aluminum pipe, the fiber optical cableand strength member being arranged in parallel and a pipe surroundingthe fiber optical cable and strength member, the strength memberincluding an FRP rod, the strength member including metallic wires, thestrength member including a stainless steel pipe with optical fibers inthe pipe.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is a cable including an opticalfiber cable including an optical fiber ribbon in a stainless steel pipe,and an outer pipe, wherein the ribbon includes at least two opticalfibers arranged side by side, and wherein at least two of the opticalfibers are bonded intermittently along a length of said fibers.

Other features of the fourth embodiment may a second optical fiberribbon in the stainless steel pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C show an exemplary embodiment of a fiber ribbon.

FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of a conventional ribbon cable.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional cable with individualfibers.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a 24 fiber cable using the new fiberribbon.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a 24 fiber trunk cable 16 using the newfiber ribbon.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a 24 fiber cable 19 for interconnect useusing the new fiber ribbon.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a 144 fiber trunk cable for vertical andhorizontal use using the new fiber ribbon.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a 288 fiber trunk cable 26 for verticaland horizontal use using the new fiber ribbon.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of an Alma core type OPGW cable using the newfiber ribbon.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a Centra core type OPGW cable using thenew fiber ribbon.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a Hexa core type OPGW cable using the newfiber ribbon.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a loose tube cable using the new fiberribbon.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of an ADSS cable using the new fiber ribbon.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of an ADSS cable using the new fiber ribbon.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a center loose tube cable using the newfiber ribbon.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a center loose tube cable using the newfiber ribbon.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a logging cable using the new fiberribbon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader ingaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses and/orsystems described herein. Various changes, modifications, andequivalents of the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described hereinwill suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art.Descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted toenhance clarity and conciseness.

Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments will be described with referenceto accompanying drawings.

The new concept ribbon shown in FIGS. 1A-1C allows for the design ofround and small cables, like single-fibers cables. The new cable, usingthe new ribbons can satisfy requirement for premise cables, such as lowskew, quick connectorization and multiple installations into limitedspaces.

The features of the new cable design ribbon are described below usingthe example of 12 fiber ribbon 1 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 1A shows the12 fiber ribbon 1 in a Z-direction view. In FIG. 1A, twelve fibers 1 athrough 1 l are arranged onto X-axis. The fibers can have as appropriatecolor arrangement, but that is not required. For example, a blue fiber 1a could be bonded intermittently with an orange fiber 1 b which is nextto blue one. In a similar way, all fibers 1 a-1 l, which are arrangedside by side, are bonded partially. Also, while this embodiment showseach fiber intermittently bonded to at least one other fiber, theintermittent bonding does not have to occur between each fiber. Theremay be some fibers that bonded to another fiber along the entire lengthof the fibers.

The fibers can be bonded by any know conventional methods. One suchknown method of bonding is described in U.S. Application Publication No.2010/0296781, which is incorporated herein by reference. The bondingelements 2 are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Note that only one bondingelement 2 between fibers 1 a and 1 b is shown in FIG. 1B. There wouldalso be bonding elements between the other fibers. There could also bebonding elements between the fibers in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 1A shows the bonding elements 2 arranged in a diagonal patternacross the ribbon. However, they do not have to be diagonal. Otherpatterns could also be used.

The length of the bonding element can be very small relative to thelength of the fibers that are not attached to the bonding element (gap3). For example, the length of the bonding element 2 could be betweenapproximately 2 and 20 mm, with a preferable length of 10 mm. The gapbetween bonding elements could be between approximately 20 and 500 mm,with a preferable length of 50 mm. Preferable ratios of bonding lengthto gap length could be between approximately ⅕ to 1/20. Thisintermittent bonding structure enables the ribbon to be more flexiblelike single fibers.

FIG. 1B shows the y-direction view of the 12 fiber ribbon 1 that has notbeen inserted into a cable. FIG. 1C shows the y-direction view of the 12fiber ribbon 1 that has been inserted into a cable (cable is not shown).

Alternatively, mass splicing could be performed in the same way as for aconventional ribbon.

Four fiber ribbon, eight fiber ribbon and other fiber arrangement can beused depending on the specific needs of the user. Also, multi-mode (MM)fibers and single mode (SM) fibers can be used depending on the specificneeds of the user.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a 24 fiber cable 15 using the new fiberribbon. The structure consists of two 12 fiber ribbons 1 and a pipe 14.In this embodiment, the pipe could be a single layer jacket. However, inthe context of this invention, a pipe could refer to a “jacket” or a“tube.” In this embodiment, the cable does not include aramid yarninside the pipe 14. Each ribbon can be identified by marking on theribbon or by using a different color of thread wound around the ribbon.In this embodiment, the pipe 14 material is PVC. Other pipe materialssuch as PE, FRPE, PP, PBT or other thermoplastics could also be used.The cable shape is round and the cable diameter is small, likeconventional single-fiber cables. This cable may also be used as a unitin a larger cable. The ribbon type in the cable is variable. Forexample, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to24 fibers and the total fiber counts in the cable may also vary. Theribbon 1 can be twisted helically, or S-Z twisted.

Also, the inner diameter of the pipe could be adjusted so that the cableis considered to be either “tightly buffered,” or “loosely buffered.”One example of a tightly buffered cable would be one in which the ratioof the cross sectional area of the inner diameter of the pipe to thecross-sectional area of the ribbon would be less than approximately1.34. Cables that are not “tightly buffered” may be considered to be“loosely buffered.”

FIG. 5 shows an example of a 24 fiber trunk cable 16. Aramid yarns 18are embedded between the 24 fiber cable 15 shown in FIG. 4 and an outerpipe 17. The amount of aramid yarns 18 will depend on the tensileperformance requirements (e.g. GR409 vertical or GR409 horizontal). Inthis example, outer pipe material 17 is PVC. Other pipe materials suchas PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics could alsobe used. The cable shape is round and the cable diameter is small as inthe conventional cable shown in FIG. 3. The ribbon type in the cable isvariable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example,from 2 fibers to 24 fibers and the total fiber counts in the cable mayalso vary.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a 24 fiber cable 19 for interconnect use.This cable consists of two 12 fiber ribbons 1 and Aramid yarns 21surrounded by a single layer pipe 20. An appropriate amount of yarn 21is embedded in order to meet tensile specification (e.g. GR409interconnect). The pipe 20 material could be PVC PE, FRPE, Polyurethane,Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The cable shape is round and oneexample of the cable diameter is equal or less than 3.8 mm, which issame as that of the conventional single-fibers cable. However, otherdiameters may be used. The ribbon type in the cable is variable. Forexample, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to24 fibers and the total fiber counts in the cable may also vary. Forexample, if one 12 fiber ribbons is in the cable the cable diametercould be equal or less than 3.0 mm. Also, if four 12 fiber ribbons arein the cable the cable diameter could be equal or less than 4.5 mm.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a 144 fiber trunk cable for vertical andhorizontal use. Twelve 12 fiber cables 23 with 3.0 mm outer diameterssurrounded a central strength member 24. The cable 23 is similar to thecable 19 in FIG. 6, except that it has different fiber counts and outerdiameter. An appropriate size of FRP is chosen as the central member 24in order to meet tensile and temperature specifications (e.g. GR409vertical or GR409 horizontal). The outer pipe material 25 can be PVC PE,FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. Although thecable 22 shows that there are twelve 12 fiber cables 23, some of thecables 23 can be replaced with fillers which are made of PVC PE, FRPE,Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a 288 fiber trunk cable 26 for vertical andhorizontal use. Twelve 24 fiber cables 27, with 3.8 mm outer diameterssurrounded a central strength member 29. The cable 27 is same as cable19 in FIG. 6. An appropriate size of FRP is chosen as the central member29 in order to meet tensile specification (e.g. GR409 vertical or GR409horizontal). The outer pipe material 28 can be PVC PE, FRPE,Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. Although the cable 26shows that there are twelve 24 fiber cables 27, some of the cables 27can be replaced with fillers which are made of PVC PE, FRPE,Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics.

The invention can also be used in optical ground wire (OPGW) cable. Itenables mass splicing, which dramatically reduce the operation time oftermination at difficult locations, such as pylons. FIG. 9 shows anexample of a conventional Alma core type OPGW cable 30. It has threeoptical units 33 surrounded by an pipe 34. In this embodiment, the pipe34 is made of aluminum. The pipe 34 is surrounded by several aluminumalloy wires 35 and several aluminum clad steel wires 36. The presentinvention can be incorporated into this OPGW application by replacingthe optical units 33 with buffer pipes 32 containing a 12 fiber ribbon1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons mayvary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 32 can bemade of PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT, or other thermoplastics. The 12 fiberribbon 1 can be tightly buffered by the pipe or loosely buffered by gel,silicon or air.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a conventional Centra core type OPGW cable37. The cable core consists of a hermetically sealed stainless steelpipe 39 with a plurality of optical fibers 38. The stainless steel pipe39 is covered by an aluminum pipe 40 and the pipe 40 is surrounded byseveral aluminum alloy wires 41 and several aluminum clad steel wires42. The present invention can be incorporated into this OPGW applicationby replacing the cable core with a stainless steel tube 43 containingone or more 12 fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon type is variable. Forexample, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to24 fibers. Gel, silicon or air can be filled into the stainless steelpipe 43.

FIG. 11 shows an example of conventional Hexa core type OPGW cable 44.The core consists of three hermetically sealed stainless steel pipes 45,which include a plurality of fibers, and three aluminum clad steel wires46 surrounding an aluminum clad steel wire 46. The core can besurrounded by an aluminum pipe (note shown) and then aluminum clad steelwires 46 and aluminum alloy wires 47. The present invention can beincorporated into this OPGW application by replacing the hermeticallysealed stainless steel pipes 45 with a stainless steel pipe 48containing one or more 12 fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon type is variable.For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2fibers to 24 fibers. As a result, up to 432 fibers can be in one cable.

Loose tube cables, sometimes called black jacket cables, with singlefibers are often used as a feeder cable, a distribution cable and a dropcable. Generally, a cable with relatively higher fiber counts is used asa feeder cable. Ribbon splicing between a feeder cable and another cable(which is a feeder cable or a distribution cable) would improveefficiency and reduce cable installation time and installation cost.However, low PMD for WDM is usually required for feeder cable. A feedercable with the ribbons of this invention can satisfy both of theserequirements (Ribbon splicing and low PMD).

A distribution cable is usually laid between a feeder cable and somedrop cables. It is terminated with feeder cable at one of the cable end.For the termination at this access point, ribbon, splicing is efficient.Also, it is terminated with another cable (which is a feeder cable or adrop cables) at another side of cable end or at the mid pint of thecable. For the termination at this access point, single-fiber splicingcan be required. A distribution cable that uses the ribbon of thisinvention can make both ribbon splicing and single-fiber splicingeasier.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a conventional loose tube cable 49. Thecable core consists of five gel-filled buffer pipes 56. The buffer pipes36 are S-Z twisted around a central strength member 53, such as FRP. Thebuffer pipes 56 are surrounded by a water blocking system 35 and apolyester tape 51. There may also be a rip cord 54. Above the tape is apolyethylene pipe 50. The pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE,Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The present inventioncan be incorporated into this loose tube application by replacing thebuffer pipes 56 with a buffer pipe 57 containing one or more 12 fiberribbons 1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of theribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The bufferpipe 57 can be PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or otherthermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn orair.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a conventional ADSS cable 58 for use inshort spans. The cable core consists of four buffer pipes 64. The tubesare S-Z twisted around a central strength member 63, such as FRP. Thebuffer pipes 64 are surrounded by a water blocking system 65, such aswater blocking yarn binder. Surrounding the water blocking system istorque balance aramid yarns 61. The aramid yarns 61 help protect thecable from the high tension needed for aerial installation. There mayalso be a rip cord 62. A polyester tape 60 surrounds the aramid yarns61. Above the tape 60 is a polyethylene outer pipe 59. The pipe materialcan be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics.The present invention can be incorporated into this ADSS application byreplacing the buffer pipes 64 with a buffer pipe 66 containing one ormore 12 fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, thesize of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers.The buffer pipe 66 can be PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, orother thermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarnor air.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a conventional ADSS cable 67 for use in longspans. The cable core consists of 24 buffer pipes 75. Nine of the pipes75 are arranged over a central strength member 68, such as FRP, to forma first layer and fifteen of the pipes 75 are arranged over the firstlayer to form a second layer. A water blocking binder 76 is in betweenthe first and second layers. Surrounding the second layer is anon-hygroscopic core wrap 73 and then a polyethylene inner pipe 70.Surrounding the inner pipe 70 is torque balance aramid yarns 72. Thearamid yarns 72 provide supporting during the aerial installation. Theremay also be a ripcord 74. Surrounding the aramid yarns 72 is anon-hygroscopic core wrap 71 and then a polyethylene or track resistantouter pipe 69. The inner and/or outer pipe material can be PVC, PE,FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The presentinvention can be incorporated into this ADSS application by replacingthe buffer pipes 75 with a buffer pipe 77 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size ofthe ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Thebuffer pipe 77 can be PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or otherthermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn orair. In addition, while this embodiment shows two pipe layers, there mayonly be one pipe layer.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a conventional center loose tube cable 78.The cable core consists of one buffer pipe 80 arranged at the center ofthe cable. Surrounding the core is a strength element 82, such as aramidyarn. A water blocking system 83 surrounds the strength member 82.Surrounding the water-blocking system 83 is a polyethylene outer pipe79. The pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide orother thermoplastics. The present invention can be incorporated intothis center loose tube application by replacing the buffer pipe 80 witha buffer pipe 84 containing one or more 12 fiber ribbons 1. The ribbontype is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, forexample, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 84 can be ferrousor non-ferrous metal, PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or otherthermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn orair.

FIG. 16 shows an example of another conventional center loose tube cable85. Two strength members 86 are arranged on opposite sides of a bufferpipe 89 arranged at the center of the cable. The strength member can beany kind of ferrous or non-ferrous metal, any kind of FRP or metallicpipe with optical fibers. A water blocking system 87 is next to thestrength members 86 and buffet pipe 89. An outer pipe 88 surrounds theinterior elements. The pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane,Polyamide or other thermoplastics. There may also be a ripcord 90. Thepresent invention can be incorporated into this center loose tubeapplication by replacing the buffer pipe 89 with a buffer pipe 91containing one or more 12 fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon type is variable.For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 91 can be ferrous or non-ferrousmetal, PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or other thermoplastics.The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn, or air.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a conventional logging cable 92. The cablecore consists of one stainless steel pipe 94 arranged at the center ofthe cable. Surrounding the stainless steel pipe 94 is a polyethyleneouter pipe 93. The pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane,Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The present invention can beincorporated into this center loose tube application by replacing thestainless steel pipe 94 with a buffer pipe 95 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size ofthe ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Thebuffer pipe 95 can be ferrous or non-ferrous metal, PE, PP, PBT, alloyof PBT and Polyether, or other thermoplastics. The buffer pipe canfilled with gel, silicon, yarn or air.

As mentioned above, although the exemplary embodiments described aboveare various types of cables, they are merely exemplary and the generalinventive concept should not be limited thereto, and it could also applyto the stranding of other cables.

What is claimed:
 1. A loose tube cable, comprising: a central strengthmember; a plurality of buffer pipes surrounding the central strengthmember; a plurality of optical fiber ribbons, each of the plurality ofoptical fiber ribbons disposed within one of the plurality of bufferpipes, each of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons comprising aplurality of optical fibers arranged side-by-side and bondedintermittently along a length of the fibers, wherein at least two of theplurality of optical fiber ribbons are disposed in at least one of theplurality of buffer pipes, and wherein each of the two optical fiberribbons is individually twisted helically or S-Z twisted; a waterblocking system surrounding and contacting the plurality of bufferpipes; and an outer thermoplastic pipe surrounding the water blockingsystem.
 2. The loose tube cable of claim 1, wherein the central strengthmember is formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material.
 3. The loosetube cable of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of buffer pipes isformed from a thermoplastic.
 4. The loose tube cable of claim 1, whereinthe outer thermoplastic pipe is formed from polyethylene.
 5. The loosetube cable of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of buffer pipes isfilled with gel.
 6. The loose tube cable of claim 1, wherein the waterblocking system comprises a water blocking yarn binder.
 7. The loosetube cable of claim 1, further comprising a rip cord.
 8. The loose tubecable of claim 1, further comprising a tape surrounding the waterblocking system, wherein the outer thermoplastic pipe surrounds andcontacts the tape.
 9. The loose tube cable of claim 8, wherein the tapecontacts the water blocking system.
 10. The loose tube cable of claim 8,further comprising aramid yarns surrounding and contacting the waterblocking system, and wherein the tape contacts the aramid yarns.
 11. Theloose tube cable of claim 1, wherein the plurality of buffer pipes is afirst layer of buffer pipes, and further comprising a second layer ofbuffer pipes.
 12. The loose tube cable of claim 1, wherein bondingelements which intermittently bond the optical fibers are arranged in adiagonal pattern across each of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons.13. The loose tube cable of claim 1, wherein a length of each bondingelement which intermittently bonds the optical fibers is less than alength of each non-bonded portion of the optical fibers.
 14. A loosetube cable, comprising: a central strength member; a plurality ofthermoplastic buffer pipes surrounding the central strength member; aplurality of optical fiber ribbons, each of the plurality of opticalfiber ribbons disposed within one of the plurality of buffer pipes, eachof the plurality of optical fiber ribbons comprising a plurality ofoptical fibers arranged side-by-side and bonded intermittently along alength of the fibers, wherein at least two of the plurality of opticalfiber ribbons are disposed in at least one of the plurality of bufferpipes, and wherein each of the two optical fiber ribbons is individuallytwisted helically or S-Z twisted; a water blocking system surroundingand contacting the plurality of buffer pipes; a tape surrounding andcontacting the water blocking system; and an outer thermoplastic pipesurrounding and contacting the tape.
 15. The loose tube cable of claim14, wherein the central strength member is formed from a fiberreinforced polymer material.
 16. The loose tube cable of claim 14,wherein the outer thermoplastic pipe is formed from polyethylene. 17.The loose tube cable of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality ofbuffer pipes is filled with gel.
 18. The loose tube cable of claim 14,wherein the water blocking system comprises a water blocking yarnbinder.
 19. The loose tube cable of claim 14, further comprising a ripcord.